Fieldnotesby Arjun Sai
SAP EWM7 topics · study guide

Internal processes & warehouse control

The control objects behind every movement — process types, POSC and LOSC — and the internal processes that keep stock right.

ScopeProcess-type and storage-control design is the heart of EWM configuration. Document it carefully.
01

Warehouse process types, tasks & orders

A warehouse process type (e.g. 1011 putaway, 2010 picking, 3010 internal move) controls how a warehouse task (WT) is created and confirmed: activity, confirmation immediately or not, storage control, printing, and more. WTs are grouped into warehouse orders (WO) for execution.

  • Process type is determined from document type, item type, delivery priority, process indicator and the product's process-type determination indicator.
  • Product WTs move stock; HU WTs move whole HUs.
  • Open/confirmed WTs: tables /SCWM/ORDIM_O and /SCWM/ORDIM_C.
T-codes & apps
/SCWM/MON/SCWM/TO_CONF/SCWM/ADPROD/SCWM/ADHU
Configuration
IMG › SCM Extended Warehouse Management › Extended Warehouse Management › Cross-Process Settings › Warehouse Task › Define Warehouse Process Type
02

Process-oriented storage control (POSC)

POSC defines the sequence of process steps a product or HU passes — e.g. UNLO → DECO → QINS → PTWY for inbound, or PICK → PACK → STAG → LOAD for outbound — with an external step per work centre.

  • Storage process is assigned to the warehouse process type.
  • Each step creates its own WT to the intermediate storage type.
  • Steps can be skipped by conditions (e.g. no deconsolidation for single-product HUs).
Configuration
IMG › SCM Extended Warehouse Management › Extended Warehouse Management › Cross-Process Settings › Warehouse Task › Define Process-Oriented Storage Control
03

Layout-oriented storage control (LOSC)

LOSC handles physical layout: if goods cannot move directly from source to destination storage type, they pass through an identification point (I-point) or pick point — for example a pallet must be checked at the I-point before entering automated high-rack.

  • Defined by source storage type, destination storage type, HU type group.
  • Runs after POSC — POSC decides 'what', LOSC decides 'which path'.
  • Common in automated warehouses with conveyors.
Configuration
IMG › SCM Extended Warehouse Management › Extended Warehouse Management › Cross-Process Settings › Warehouse Task › Define Layout-Oriented Storage Control
04

Replenishment

EWM supports planned (scheduled, based on min/max), order-related (based on open demand), automatic (triggered by WT confirmation when below minimum), direct (during pick denial) and crate-part replenishment for production supply.

  • Min/max quantities are maintained in fixed-bin data or the product's storage type data.
  • Replenishment uses its own process type (e.g. 3010).
  • Schedule planned replenishment as a background job before wave release.
T-codes & apps
/SCWM/REPL
05

Physical inventory in EWM

EWM supports product-based and location-based (storage bin) physical inventory with procedures: annual, ad-hoc, cycle counting, low-stock/zero-stock check and putaway inventory. Differences are posted first to the difference analyser, then to IM.

  • Difference Analyzer (/SCWM/DIFF_ANALYZER) posts to IM with tolerance groups.
  • PI documents are created, counted (RF or desktop), recounted and posted.
  • Cycle counting uses CC indicators per product and warehouse.
T-codes & apps
/SCWM/PI_PROCESS/SCWM/DIFF_ANALYZER
From the field: Agree tolerance groups with Finance: who can post a difference of what value, and at what level it goes to the difference analyser.
06

Posting changes & ad-hoc movements

Posting changes change stock attributes (stock type, batch, owner, material) with or without physical movement. Ad-hoc movements move product or HU between bins manually, for example to consolidate stock or fix a damaged location.

  • Posting changes can come from ERP (e.g. QM usage decision) or originate in EWM.
  • Ad-hoc WTs: /SCWM/ADPROD (product) and /SCWM/ADHU (HU).
  • Use a dedicated process type with reason codes for auditability.
T-codes & apps
/SCWM/ADPROD/SCWM/ADHU/SCWM/MON
07

Slotting & rearrangement

Slotting (advanced) calculates the optimal storage parameters (storage type, section, bin type) for each product from demand and dimensions. Rearrangement then moves stock to the optimal bins during quiet periods.

  • Slotting updates putaway control indicator and storage section indicator.
  • Rearrangement creates internal WTs for products in non-optimal bins.
  • Run as a periodic job for seasonal or growing product ranges.
T-codes & apps
/SCWM/SLOT
Put it into practice

Explain one pallet's path

A pallet arrives for automated high-rack storage. Show which part of the movement is controlled by POSC and which by LOSC, and how many warehouse tasks are created.

Check yourself

Interview-style questions

Difference between POSC and LOSC?

POSC models business process steps (unload, deconsolidate, QI, putaway); LOSC models the physical path through intermediate points such as identification or pick points.

Name four replenishment types.

Planned, order-related, automatic and direct (plus crate-part for production supply).

Where are confirmed warehouse tasks stored?

Table /SCWM/ORDIM_C (open WTs in /SCWM/ORDIM_O).

Official study material

SAP Learning · SAP Extended Warehouse Management ↗SAP Help Portal · product documentation ↗